July 2009 Issue #005
The Transgender Law Center often receives calls from transgender people who have experienced egregious employment discrimination but live in states without gender identity protections. That’s why the Employment Non-Discrimination Act and workforce development programs are so important to the Transgender Law Center and the community we serve. ENDA would equip all LGBT peoplewith the right to confront discrimination and reduce bias in the workplace, while transgender-inclusive employment programs like San Francisco’s Transgender Economic Empowerment Initiative provide the skills and coaching trans and gender-nonconforming people need to negotiate barriers to full employment. By creating good policies and programs that address the needs of transgender workers, people can be evaluated by their performance on the job, not by bias. TLC is working hard to promote safe work environments, equal access to jobs, and economic health for transgender communities. Thanks for making this work possible by your support, partnership and day-to-day activism.
In solidarity,
Masen
In this Issue:
The Employment Non-Discrimination Act is likely to move in the U.S. House of Representatives soon! The bill (HR3017) would add sexual orientation and gender identity to existing federal employment non-discrimination laws. Thanks to the many transgender people and allies who educated policymakers about transgender issues over the last two years, our friends in Washington are confident about the bill’s prospects for passage. HR3017 has twice as many co-sponsors than the last time ENDA was introduced, demonstrating a marked increase in support over time. But our work far from over! Every Representative and Senator must hear why YOU care about ENDA and employment protections for LGBT people. There are many ways to do this:
1. Sign a public petition to let policymakers know how you feel about employment protections for our communities. NCTE and TLC have set up such a petition at the following link: http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/PassENDA/. Please note that petitions allow us all - friends, families, allies, community members – to publically state our support for ENDA. If you need to remain anonymous, then please contribute in another way.
2. Schedule an in-district meeting with your Representative and Senator when they return to your community in August.
3. Write a letter to your local newspaper expressing your opinion about ENDA and workplace discrimination among transgender people.
4. Learn how to conduct effective advocacy meetings. TLC staff are available to help teach community members and groups how to arrange and prepare for meetings with legislators. For more information, call Alexis or Morgan at 415-865-0176.
-photo from TLC's meeting with Rep. George Miller
Program Spotlight – Transgender Economic Empowerment Initiative
San Francisco’s Transgender Employment Empowerment Initiative (TEEI) is a unique collaborative program designed to help transgender individuals find stable jobs that provide a living wage, benefits, and opportunities for advancement. TEEI is a thriving partnership between the San Francisco LGBT Center, Jewish Vocational Services (JVS), SF TEAM and TLC. TLC draws on our extensive knowledge of the law and expertise in helping community members navigate the technical details to ensure participants are able to gain and retain employment. We also provide critical Elimination of Workplace Bias trainings to employers. The Center and SF TEAM look to their deep roots in the community to bring trans and gender non–conforming jobseekers into the program and to connect them with successful mentors who can share their job experiences. JVS relies on its 35-plus years of experience in bringing people and work together to connect jobseekers to its network of employers looking for smart, skilled workers.
TEEI provides a number of services to the transgender community to assist in finding employment. Services range from job navigation and vocational services including one-on-one employment counseling, individual and group training sessions, job search and placement services, retention and career advancement support and access to computers and specific skill enhancement trainings to mentoring services to provide job seekers with peer-based practical and emotional support along with educational and social opportunities, and the annual Transgender Job Fair. We also provide legal services addressing immediate legal needs of transgender job seekers and employees in San Francisco. TEEI also provides legal and technical assistance to employers and HR professionals to ensure safe and welcoming workplaces for transgender individuals.
By specifically working to ensure that transgender San Franciscans receive helping finding and keeping good jobs, TEEI is tackling critical economic justice issues for the entire community. Recent data shows that transgender Californians are twice as likely to live under the poverty line as non-transgender people. TEEI is just the kind of program we need in every region of the state to combat this kind of economic injustice. Keep up the great work TEEI!
For more information about TEEI and TLC’s efforts to start transgender workforce programs in cities throughout California, contact Kristina at kristina@transgenderlawcenter.org.
In July, TLC helped a transgender veteran address discrimination in accessing the female restroom at a Contra Costa VA facility. The individual regularly visited the VA to receive hormone replacement therapy and routine medical care. Until recently, she regularly used the women’s restroom without incident. In early July a VA police officer decided that she would not be allowed to use the restroom unless she had undergone a court-ordered gender change. There is no requirement for this under California law. TLC contacted the VA police department, as well as the VA’s Office of General Counsel, who contacted the police officer and confirmed that the veteran may access the restroom without a court order. TLC also helped the veteran obtain a new California driver’s license with a female gender marker.
TLC also assisted an FTM restaurant server in San Diego educate his employer about the employer’s legal obligation to permit the server to wear pants. The California Fair Employment and Housing Act specifically states that where a workplace dress code is in place, transgender individuals are permitted to dress in accordance with their gender identity. The server contacted TLC after his employer required him to wear a skirt. After learning of his rights, the server informed his employer of the law and stated that he would be wearing pants from then on. TLC also assisted the server in obtaining a court-ordered name change.
TLC was an active participant in various Pride activities this year.
Thanks to all of the staff and volunteers who made this possible!
Trans-Unity Celebration – Los Angeles: TLC staffers Matt, Alexis, and Masen facilitated law and policy workshops, and TLC was honored with the Agency of the Year Award!
TransMarch – San Francisco: Over 20 community members and allies convened at TLC for a pre-TransMarch poster making party before heading to Dolores Park for a day of rousing speeches and performances (including a shout-out from Alexis and Masen encouraging people to celebrate our cultures and educate policymakers about ENDA). Thanks to all who joined the TLC contingent during the long march through the Mission – especially the Brass Liberation Orchestra!
San Francisco Pride - TLC’s Board of Directors organized and staffed an incredibly successful – and fun! - beer and beverage booth to benefit TLC through SF Pride. Thank you to all of the dedicated, hardworking volunteers who shared their Pride with TLC and served thousands of thirsty Pride-goers. While the exact numbers are not in yet, we brought in significantly more money than last year, which should result in increased revenue for TLC. Special thanks to Board Members Shay Aaron Gilmore and Alex Cleghorn for their leadership in making the beer booth a reality.
We would like to give a very special thank you to Juanita Moore for her fabulous Pride party at the Phoenix Hotel/Bambuddha Lounge. This year’s party benefitted the Transgender Law Center and raised $20,000 for TLC’s legal and advocacy services! To support TLC with your financial contribution or event, please call Masen at 415-865-0176 or click the button below:
Joe Frislid – Summer Intern: Joe comes to us from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law, where he will be going into his second year. Joe is originally from New York and came west for college at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). He is a strong supporter of LGBT rights with a particular focus on transgender rights. “I feel very strongly about advancing LGBT rights, and the movement is only as strong as its most vulnerable members,” Joe says. “I am honored to be able to dedicate my summer to ensuring that transgender people have access to information that may help prevent bias and discrimination.” At the moment, Joe plans to go into either criminal law or family law, either of which will be a major benefit to the transgender community. As an intern at TLC, Joe currently handles many of the initial calls from community members seeking legal guidance and assistance. After consultation with Legal Director Kristina Wertz and Staff Attorney Matt Wood, Joe is able to provide the assistance our community requires. TLC is thrilled to have Joe’s help this summer!
